The U.S. state of Washington is set to open the northern portion of its coast to commercial Dungeness crab harvesting after delaying the season for weeks due to low meat yields.
Washington officials first notified crabbers that the season would be delayed in November after testing revealed that crabs in multiple areas of the state did not reach the state’s criteria for minimum meat yields. Officials were forced to push back the season's start date multiple times before testing results improved enough to open the southern part of the state – from Klipsan Beach south to the Oregon border – on 15 January.
Now, officials say that conditions in the northern portion of the state – from Klipsan Beach north to the Canadian border – have improved sufficiently for them to open. The start date for that area will be 11 February, but harvesters can begin pre-soaking traps beginning 8 February. It is the last section of the U.S. West Coast to open up for commercial Dungeness crab harvesting.
The commercial season was delayed through the end of 2024, but Washington law enforcement officers reported ...